2 Journey

Roots moved and transformed, eventually turning into a singular claw that grabbed the ground moving the seed forwards. In the surrounding were dark gray trees and plants. These plants were not normal, containing vitality even in a wasteland such as this place. These non-spiritual plants had basked in the rich yin energy and eventually evolved a use for the yin energy using it instead of sunlight and yang energy.

The soil here was barren and empty, leftover remains of animal found often in the surroundings. The bones that were in an abundance, was one of the factors that produced this little 'wonderland' of yin essence. This small area that he was located was at the very outskirts of where all of the naturally produced yin was. That yin energy much more intense and purer than the bones left behind. When he had originally landed, he was on top of a pile of bones that had a limited amount of yin essence. This essence was then depleted to nothing as it grew and matured.

Taking his first 'step' he drug himself over the hard and rocky soil, leaving behind a groove in the ground. Using his roots as a claw, he moved his little seed body towards the yin energy, whilst avoiding all traces of bugs and predators.

On his way, he saw many traces and remains of what looked like what the bugs had left over. Not being one to waste any precious yin energy, he dragged some of the more essence infuse bones behind him while he walked. These bones were grasped by thin little roots, that while holding them also absorbed the energy inside of them, eventually making them dull gray. When the bones had now more energy they were released to then grab another.

...

Hours turned into days as the little seedling slowly made his way closer and closer to the source of the energy. He had now absorbed so much energy from the bones that he had grew 3 more claws, and a little body that house his seed. This seed was also undergoing a change, turning from a solid seed, and turning into a little green flame that silently burned in the center. This flame did not harm the wood around it, but instead nourished it. It was like the core of a golem, but instead of being material, this flame was in the void and impossible to break. The yin rich flame would also burn anything that tried to touch it with the purest yin energy, directly trying to wipe it out.

This flame nourished his body, making it undergo a qualitative leap. The wood now turning darker and darker, was now incomparably harder than the weak roots that had a hard time piercing through the ground just days ago. The ends of his fingers, were the most solid and sharp. Making some of the rocks he brushed give of screeching and clanking noises. The claw and body increased the speed that he was moving vastly. Not having to drag himself across the floor made it much easier, like walking compared to crawling.

While he was walking and dragging himself across the ground, he unexpectedly came across a group of the dark black bugs. These bugs had just finished hunting down a type of monkey that had dark scales on its body. These scales looked incomparably firm and solid, yet he was only a prey to these bugs. One could see how terrifying these bugs were! The saving grace for him was that he was not see, and had a longer 'sight' than these bugs. Using this advantage he planned to avoid them and keep going along his way.

However, things were not how they were supposed to go. The bugs, after having the battle with the monkey were injured, but were still able to fight. Sensing something in the surroundings stirred this little hunting group. This band of 5 bugs originally had 10, but after fighting against the monkey 5 had already died. Although almost half of these bugs were already dead, and the rest injured, he was still unable to face them head on. Opting to run in the opposite direction attempting to lose them.

While running he was trying to find a place to stay and hide himself away. He was currently in a vast plain that had no trees in the surroundings, severely limiting his idea of running and hiding, because the bugs eyes could always see him. Directly running was no longer an option for him, directly opting to try and find a way to either hide, or fight back. Dropping the bones that he had been carrying gave him a short burst of speed in which he could cross the slight bulge of land in front of him.

Throwing himself over the curve, he directly buried underground, unraveling his claws and flowing into the ground. Eventually only a little area was not hidden underground, but he was unable to fully immerse himself as he saw the bugs cross over the top. They stopped and looked around, each departing in a certain direction leaving only 1 of the 5 to stay at the top of this hill.

As the bugs moved further and further, the willow was getting more and more excited. This was a chance that was hard to come by twice. Only a singular bug wasn't a problem, it was their coordination and numbers that eventually killed animals. Now that there was only one left, it gave him confidence and resolution, this was his only chance!